THE DISH: Cherry-pick your dining options at The Kitchen

The Kitchen is offering a seasonal cherry-forward menu that's described as "sweet, tart and everything in between."

The menu, which will be served May 24 and 31, consists of four courses: a cherry-pistachio salad with charred scallion vinaigrette; yellow cherry crudo; choice of pork tenderloin or pan-seared airline chicken breast with red wine and cherry glaze and caramelized fennel gremolata; and cherry clafoutis for dessert.

Seatings are available at 6, 6:30, 7 or 7:30 p.m. on both nights at the venue, 1317 20th St.

Cost is $60, not including tax and tip. Diners can also order wine, beer or nonalcoholic drinks for an additional charge.

Those who would like to dine at home can opt for a three-course takeout version ($42) with pickup from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at the venue, 1317 20th St.

Before the cherry dinners, The Kitchen will host another winemaker dinner with Aaron Jackson of Aaron Wines on May 17.

The evening starts with an appetizer reception with pickled nectarine with prosciutto and mozzarella and salmon tartare, served with the winery's Aequorea Viognier.

A salad of heirloom romaine lettuce with roasted delicata squash, cardamon pods and citrus black pepper dressing, paired with Aequorea Pinot Noir, will be served next.

Sample a trio of wines — Aaron Sandstone, Aaron Mauka and Aaron Petite Sirah — with the main course of sake-braised short ribs, served with potato fondant and lardon-infused greens.

Flourless chocolate cake will complete the meal.

Dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. May 17 at The Kitchen.

The cost is $155, which includes wine, tax and gratuity.

Visit thekitchenbakersfield.com for reservations.

Military Appreciation Day

On May 22, the Chick-fil-A at 5260 Stockdale Highway will host a Military Appreciation Day.

From 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., the restaurant will serve a free meal (entree, side and beverage) for all active and former military personnel with one guest.

The offer is to acknowledge "the dedication, sacrifice, and the commitment to duty of our armed forces."

Valid military ID is required to redeem the offer at the Stockdale Highway location.

Small bites

In its latest collaboration on a movie promotion, IHOP (multiple locations) unveiled a themed menu inspired by the upcoming film "IF."

Many of the limited-time offerings are brightly colored and fun, fitting in with the film's theme about imaginary friends.

Items include Blue's Dazzleberry Pancakes, two blue raspberry-flavored pancakes topped with vanilla mousse, whipped topping and Fruity Pebbles cereal, which can be ordered alone or as a combo with a scrambled egg, sausage link and bacon strip.

Pancake lovers will also enjoy Lewis' Cinn-a-Bear Stack, featuring two buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon spread, cream cheese icing, cinnamon sugar doughnut holes and whipped topping.

The MagnIFicent French Toast Sandwich is one of the savory items, composed of a folded omelet, sausage patty, hash browns, American cheese and chipotle mayo on French toast with syrup and choice of a side.

Another option is the Coney Island Pizza Omelet, stuffed and topped with pork sausage, green peppers, onions, marinara, crispy pepperoni and four-cheese blend, served with a choice of a side.

Rounding out the IF-themed menu are two beverages: Blossom's Orangesicle, made with lemonade, lemon-lime soda and vanilla syrup garnished with whipped topping, Fruity Pebbles and a gummy butterfly; and Unbelieva-Blue Soda Pop, blending lemon-lime soda and blue raspberry syrup garnished with an Original Bomb Pop that turns the drink purple.

The items are available now through June 16.

Additionally, a Kids Eat Free promotion is running during this period every day from 4 to 10 p.m. Children 12 and under can order their favorite IF item for free with the purchase of one adult entree when dining in.

To promote the tie-in, kids 12 and under can order their favorite IF item for free with the purchase of one adult entree when dining in at participating locations nationwide. The limited-time menu is on offer from May 6-June 16.

IHOP's International Bank of Pancakes rewards program will also offer three times the bonus PanCoins on all IHOP IF menu items during the opening weekend of the film's release, May 17 to 19. Now through May 19, Rewards Members who purchase an IF menu item will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a screening of the movie for 50 people.

Past IHOP/movie collaborations have included "Wonka," "The Addams Family" and "Minions: The Rise of Gru."

Speaking of movie tie-ins, Olive Garden (1701 New Stine Road) is going all-in with its promotion for "The Garfield Movie."

Celebrating the fictional orange cat who loves lasagna, the chain is offering a kids lasagna entree for a limited time.

That dish is in addition to the restaurant's other layered offerings: the lasagna fritta appetizer, OG lasagna classico, tour of Italy (featuring lasagna as part of the entree trio) and chocolate lasagna dessert.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (2649 Calloway Drive) has brought back it pretzel bacon barbecue steakburger along with adding a pretzel bacon barbecue chicken sandwich, made with your choice of crispy or grilled chicken.

Both are topped with two slices of crispy bacon, and onion on a toasted pretzel bun with bourbon barbecue sauce and Fat Tire Beer cheese; the burger includes two steakburger patties topped with American cheese.

The chain also has a new line of Freddy's frosts this summer: Lemon cream, a blend of all-natural lemonade with freshly churned vanilla frozen custard and topped with whipped cream; and orange cream, with all-natural lemonade with vanilla frozen custard and hints of orange flavor that is also topped with whipped cream.

These limited-time offerings are available now through July 2.

Lamb is back at Black Angus Steakhouse (3601 Rosedale Highway).

While supplies last, diners can enjoy grilled lamb chops, served in a trio topped with a creamy pesto and crispy artichoke petals, and two classic sides.

It also has a lamb burger, which is only available as a takeout item. The lamb patty is topped with cucumber feta sauce, tomato jam and arugula.